Domestic Violence Awareness Month

It is National Domestic Violence month in October and this is the perfect time to bring awareness and prevention for future domestic violence actions.

Domestic Violence is described as physical and emotional by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. Examples are: hitting, name calling, put-downs, sexual abuse, intimidation, stalking and threating.

Some quick facts from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner. On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines nationwide receive approximately 20,800 calls. 1 in 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend. Violent behaviors often begin between the ages of 12 and 18.

Anyone can be a victim; any race, age, gender, education or marital status. If you are being abused remember you are not along, it is not your fault and help is available.